Chess Puzzle #17Pq1 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks c1/d5; bishop a3; pawns b5/e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; rooks d8/e4; bishop a4; pawns a7/b6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd5 — rook d8→d5, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c1→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d5→d8).
3. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook c8→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e4→e8).
4. Best move: Rxe8# — rook d8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/p4ppp/1p6/1P1R4/b3r3/B3P2P/5PP1/2R3K1 b - - 0 26

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